2013 ford flex Model Overview

Sum Up

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The Ford Flex is Ford’s response to the large amount of crossovers on the market. The Flex is one of the better models, but sales would say otherwise. While it has decent fuel economy, tons of seating, and fairly good engine choices, the Flex just doesn’t live up to the style and elegance of other crossovers. The high price point probably doesn’t help either.

New For 2013

The refreshed Flex gets a distinctive new nose that updates the old boxy design, plus new headlights and dual chrome exhaust tips. Inside, the 2013 Flex gets the newest version of MyFord Touch, and new seats, steering wheel, and instrument panel. Though engines are mostly unchanged, the Flex’s 6A now has select-shift capability.

Exterior

The 2013 Ford Flex is a boxy crossover SUV with European styling. This styling includes a separate color for the roof, which is typically white. The exterior paint job comes in eight color options, all of which are rather neutral in tone. All models include a rear windshield wiper, a rear lift gate door, and four doors. The design is somewhere between a wagon and an SUV. There have been several changes to the front fascia of the vehicle, but sales are still low in U.S. markets.

The exterior of the base Ford Flex SE model comes standard with 17-inch painted alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, and automatic on/off headlights. The SEL adds 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, and heated mirrors to the exterior. For the Limited, the Flex receives 19-inch wheels, a power lift gate, LED taillights, and xenon headlights. For a certain crowd, the Ford Flex is attractive, but the high price point makes it a difficult buy.

Other exterior options include a multi-panel vista roof for the SEL and Limited models. For the Limited model, 20-inch polished aluminum wheels are available. All models have the option of a black roof rack. A titanium appearance package will also add titanium trim, and a tow package is available as well.

Interior & Cargo

The interior of the Ford Flex provides generous amounts of room for passengers, and it can seat either six or seven fairly comfortably. Redesigned interior dashboards and instrument clusters are more attractive than past models, and the now-incorporated Ford MyTouch system adds a more high-tech goodies to the standard list of features. However, the interfaces consist of three touch screens, voice commands, and touch controls on the steering wheel. Unfortunately, this overabundance of technology makes learning how to operate the interior of the Flex a longwinded process. That said, the customization allowed is a nice touch.

Most materials throughout the cabin are soft to the touch. Seating provides ample legroom, even in the third row. The cargo area totals 83 cubic feet when placing down the second and third row of seats, which is less than many minivans hold, but impressive for its size.

The SE model comes standard with cruise control, air conditioning, and a six-way power driver’s seat. The standard sound system is a six-speaker AM/FM/CD radio with MP3 playback and an auxiliary jack for other devices. The MyFord technology and Sync integration are also standard fare. For the SEL, the Flex gets automated climate control, heated driver and passenger seats, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, and six-way power adjustable passenger seat. Also standard for the SEL is satellite radio, but this requires a subscription. The Limited model adds a memory system for two drivers, adjustable pedals, and leather upholstery. The Limited sound system is upgraded to an impressive 12-speaker Sony HD system, and the Limited also features a rearview camera for easy parking.

Safety

The 2013 Ford Flex comes standard with anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and child safety locks for rear seats. The headlamps are automatic and have sensors to detect dusk. Also standard is an anti-theft alarm system, tire pressure monitoring, and a post-collision safety system. Airbags include dual front side-mounted airbags and head airbags for all three rows. The passenger seat includes a passenger detection sensor that only releases the airbag if a passenger is present. With Sync technology, airbag deployment notification will send a message to smartphones that there has been an accident.

Optional safety features include adaptive cruise control, collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring systems. As mentioned before, the Limited model adds a rearview camera. Also available is all-wheel drive for SEL and Limited models. Other than this, there are very few options for additional safety.

For 2012, the practically identical Flex received a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it is expected to receive the same rating for 2013. Government crash testing also led to near perfect ratings, and as such, the Ford Flex is an extremely safe crossover.

Driving Experience

The standard engine for the Ford Flex is a 3.5-liter, V-6 that produces 285 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. This comes standard with front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. The SEL and Limited models have the option of all-wheel drive. For the base engine, estimated fuel economy is 18/25 mpg city/highway, and all-wheel drive models are expected to get a lower 17/23 mpg city/highway. The Flex Limited also has an optional supercharged 3.5-liter, V-6 engine, which goes from zero to 60 in 6.6 seconds. However, the fuel economy drops to 16/21 mpg city/highway.

In general, the Ford Flex is average on the road. While it is not too exciting, it is also not so sluggish or poor at accelerating that it poses an issue. The optional engine for the Limited adds some enjoyment to the ride, at least in terms of speed and acceleration. The ride itself is extremely smooth, absorbing bumps in the road easily. Handling is responsive, and parking and maneuvering is simple and easy.

Key Competitors For The 2013 Ford Flex

2013 Ford Flex Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$30,900

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$16,325

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.

Units Affected

390783

Recall ID#15V340000 - STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Consequence

If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Recall Date

2015-06-02

Description

Ford Moor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

Units Affected

393623

Recall ID#14V393000 - POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

Consequence

If the halfshaft and linkshaft become disengaged while driving, power will no longer be transmitted to the wheels, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park', increasing the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Recall Date

2014-07-02

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles manufactured September 2, 2010, to November 30, 2013; 2013-2014 Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS vehicles manufactured August 25, 2011, to November 30, 2013; and 2013-2014 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT vehicles manufactured September 12, 2011, to November 30, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the halfshaft retention circlip may not have been properly installed, and as a result, the halfshaft may move outward and disengage from the linkshaft while driving and without prior warning.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure that the halfshaft is properly retained. If it is not, dealers will replace the linkshaft and also replace the halfshaft if it shows evidence of spline damage, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S10.

Units Affected

83250

Recall ID#15V812000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on December 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 13S04-S1.

Units Affected

868

Recall ID#16V621000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Consequence

A loss of power to the fuel pump will cause the engine to stall or prevent the vehicle from starting, increasing the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel PEM part number and replace the fuel PEM, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S31.

2013 Ford Flex News and Reviews

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